Cops: Batavia man fired bullet at relative in backyard

A 32-year-old Batavia man has been charged after firing a bullet at a group of people who were in his backyard over the weekend, according to police.

Thomas R. Dell of the 600 block of Park Street was arrested at his home without incident on Monday and charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Police said there was a dispute involving family members that began in Chicago late Sunday night and Dell returned home to Batavia highly intoxicated.

He is accused of firing a single bullet from a small caliber handgun at one of those family members in his backyard where a group of people had gathered, police said.

Police said Dell is not licensed to own a handgun, but authorities decided the charge of aggravated discharge was stronger than the unlawful possession charge.

A handgun and additional evidence was recovered at the scene, according to police.

Dell is being held at the Kane County jail in lieu of $7,500 bail on the possession of ammunition charge and will appear in court Tuesday on the felony aggravated discharge charge.